Freedom of Information Act 2000 Request

The amount of UWOs that have been applied for by the CPS

Request

Please could you tell me how many UWOs have been applied for by CPS at the request of individual Police forces in England and Wales? Which police Forces have made such requests?

Response

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) Proceeds of Crime (POC), working with the National Police Chief’s Council and police Regional Organised Crime Units, possesses a Civil Recovery capability. An Unexplained Wealth Order (UWO) is a new investigative order under Part 8 of the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA). The UWO is intended to assist an Enforcement Authority (such as the CPS) to build a case for the purpose of bringing a civil recovery claim under Part 5 of POCA. An UWO will not be required in every Civil Recovery case, being but one of a range of investigative tools at the disposal of an Enforcement Authority. To date the necessity for CPS POC to make an application for an UWO has not arisen.

Information Access Team 020 3357 0788 IAT@cps.gov.uk